Leon Prince, 19, accused of escaping from Tamworth court; charged with break-ins in East Tamworth, Nemingha and Coledale

Leon Prince is behind bars on a raft of property offences after fronting Tamworth Local Court before he allegedly climbed over the dock and fled, running from the courtroom in front of the magistrate and police.

The incident occurred about 12pm after Prince was led into the local courtroom and placed in the wooden dock for a bail application.

Officers in the courtroom gave chase and the 19-year-old was tackled and captured in the foyer of the court precinct.

Prince was not injured but was handcuffed and escorted back down to the neighbouring police station. He was then charged with escaping lawful custody and subsequently refused bail by police on the new charge.

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Prince was initially arrested about 7.45am on Tuesday in West Tamworth by police from the Tamworth Target Action Group (TAG) and general duties officers following investigations into break-ins in East Tamworth, Nemingha and Coledale earlier this week.

Police allege Prince entered an unlocked house in Bourke Street between 9.40pm Monday and 5am Tuesday and stole goods as well as a car.

Officers allege Prince then used that car in a second break-in at Matilda Service Station on the New England Highway in Nemingha that same night where offenders forced their way in and went through the cash register and stole goods.

The stolen car was later found abandoned and has been seized by investigators.

Police allege Prince also broke into Birrelee Mac Child Care Centre in Macgregor Street on February 1. He’s accused of committing the break-in in the company of another male and rummaging through the centre before fleeing with a small amount of cash.

Following his arrest, detectives also questioned Prince on his alleged involvement in a stabbing at the units in Woodward Street, Tamworth, on January 30.

He’s accused of stabbing a woman in the hand about 4am. She was taken to Tamworth hospital for medical treatment and has since been released, police said.

Prince was subsequently charged with wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday, Prince made no application for bail on the wounding charge, as well as two counts of aggravated break, enter and steal in company, enter dwelling and stealing a vehicle.

Magistrate Julie Soars formally refused bail and adjourned the cases to later this month and in April, as police compile the briefs of evidence into the charges.

A 25-year-old Tamworth man also arrested at the same time as Prince in West Tamworth on Tuesday has been charged with goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

Police allege he was found in possession of property stolen from the Bourke Street break-in. He was granted conditional bail to front court in March.

Police said investigations into the incidents are continuing.